The Wheel welcomes extension of deadline for charities to register with the Charities Regulatory Authority

The Wheel, today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, TD of the extension of the deadline for charities that are not already registered, to register with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The new deadline for registration is 16 April 2016.

The Wheel, today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, TD of the extension of the deadline for charities that are not already registered, to register with the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The new deadline for registration is 16 April 2016.

Any charity established before the 16th of October 2014, that is not among the circa 8,500 charities that have been automatically registered, must apply directly to the CRA for inclusion in the register. The Charities Act 2009 originally provided for a period of six months for these applications to be made. This period expired on 16th of April 2015 -hence the need for the extension of the deadline.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Ivan Cooper, Director of Advocacy at The Wheel said: “The overwhelming majority of charities were automatically registered by the CRA, but charitable organisations that did not have a CHY number from the Revenue Commissioners on 14th October 2014 - the establishment day of the Regulator - are required to apply directly to the CRA for inclusion in the Register for Charities. We don't know how many of these organisations there are, but it appears that many of these mostly smaller organisations are unaware of their obligation to register. There is now a big awareness raising and public education job to be done to ensure unregistered charities understand their obligation to apply.

“We are calling on the Department of Justice to ensure that the CRA is adequately resourced to support all the registered charities that are currently completing their entry in the Register of Charities. We are also calling on the Department to ensure these resources are sufficient for the CRA to communicate with, educate and support those charitable organisations that have yet to apply,” added Mr Cooper.

The Wheel will be working closely with the CRA and other partners in the charity sector to raise awareness of the requirements facing unregistered charities. Applications for inclusion on the Register of Charities can be made through the website of the Charities Regulatory Authority at www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie.